Books by Gary Graybill

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Egypt Gets a New Pharaoh

Egypt's
Islamist president unilaterally decreed greater authorities for himself and
effectively neutralized a judicial system that had emerged as a key opponent by
declaring that the courts are barred from challenging his decisions. President Mohammed
Morsi put himself above oversight and gave protection to the Islamist-led
assembly writing a new constitution from a looming threat of dissolution by
court order.

But the move is
likely to fuel growing public anger that he and his Muslim Brotherhood are
seizing too much power.

In what was
interpreted by rights activists as a de facto declaration of emergency law, one
of Morsi's decrees gave him the power to take "due measures and
steps" to deal with any "threat" to the revolution, national
unity and safety or anything that obstructs the work of state institutions.

Morsi said his
decisions are necessary to protect the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak
nearly two years ago and to cement the nation's transition to democratic rule.
Many activists, including opponents of the Brotherhood, criticize the judiciary
as packed with judges and prosecutors sympathetic to Mubarak. Brotherhood
supporters accuse the courts of trying to block their agenda.

Morsi also
ordered the retrial of Mubarak and top aides on charges of killing protesters
during the uprising. He also created a new "protection of the
revolution" judicial body to swiftly carry out the prosecutions. But he
did not order retrials for lower-level police acquitted of such killings, another
widespread popular demand that would disenchant the security forces if carried
out.

Liberal
politicians immediately criticized the decrees as dictatorial and destined to
divide a nation already reeling from months of turmoil following Mubarak's
ouster. Some said they exceeded the powers once enjoyed by Mubarak.

"Morsi
today usurped all state powers & appointed himself Egypt's new
pharaoh," pro-reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei wrote on Twitter. "A
major blow to the revolution that could have dire consequences."

Opposition
groups called for mass protests Friday to demand the dissolution of the
declarations. The prospect of large rival protests involving Morsi's opponents
and supporters in Cairo on Friday raises the likelihood of clashes. Thousands
from the rival camps were already out on the streets of Cairo late Thursday in
an increasingly charged atmosphere.

The moves come
as Morsi basks in lavish praise from President Barack Obama and Secretary of
State Hillary Rodham Clinton for mediating an end to eight days of fighting
between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers. Clinton was in Cairo on Wednesday, when
she held extensive talks with Morsi.